Railway expansion in Lower Austria: Green application sets an important sign!

Railway expansion in Lower Austria: Green application sets an important sign!

On June 12, 2025, an important application for the preservation and expansion of rail projects was unanimously accepted in the Lower Austrian state parliament. Georg Ecker, the traffic spokesman for the Greens, commented on this and emphasized the urgency of the situation in view of the announced cuts in the new ÖBB framework plan, which could result in a reduction of 1.4 billion euros for rail expansion by 2030. These cuts could have serious effects on the commuters because they have to expect more delays, train failures and longer travel times, warned Ecker.

The particularly affected projects in Lower Austria include the Northwest Railway, the Laaer Ostbahn, the Franz-Josefs-Bahn, the Südbahn, the Erlauftalbahn and the route from Krems to Herzogenburg. Ecker also made it clear that the upcoming shifts in the infrastructure could question the transport service contract with the state. Without the timely completion of these infrastructures, new train connections would also be on the brink, which would further reduce the variety of offers for commuters.

ÖBB framework plan lowers investment budget

The new framework plan of the ÖBB, which acts as a federal financing instrument, provides for investments of a total of 19.7 billion euros in the rail infrastructure in 2025 to 2030. Of these, over 3.2 billion euros per year are planned for important infrastructure projects to secure the stability, quality and capacity of the rail network. These investments are essential to shape the environmentally friendly mobility offer of the future and to promote a comprehensive decarbonization of rail traffic.

However, the framework plan cannot implement the planned projects without the necessary financial means for rail expansion. This applies in particular to the newly planned two-track expansion between Hard-Fußach and Lustenau in the Greater Bregenz area, as well as various train station designs in Dornbirn and Innsbruck. Projects such as the second new line from Graz to Frohnleiten are also on the agenda to shorten the travel times between Bruck an der Mur and Graz.

economic and social effects

ecker has clearly named the regional effects of these cuts and warns of potential economic damage through the reduced investments in the rail. The traffic spokesman appeals to the Lower Austrian state government to work for the necessary funds to secure the rail expansion at the Federal Government and to strictly adhere to the schedules. He sees the need for clear steps on the part of the state government to prevent the disadvantage of Lower Austria.

The framework plan also ensures that 4.8 billion euros are reserved for the maintenance of the existing network, which is crucial for the guarantee of security and punctuality on the rails. The ÖBB are considered one of the safest and punctual lanes in Europe, and investments in the digitization and modernization of railway operations are part of the plan to improve the range of services.

The upcoming decision -making processes and investments will significantly determine how the rail infrastructure will develop in Austria and what effects this will have on commuter traffic in Lower Austria. It is all the more important that everyone involved works together - from the state government to the transport companies - in order to cope with the challenges of the future.